The Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik (MPIK) is one out of 83 institutes and research establishments of the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften (MPG) (Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science). The MPG was founded in 1948 as successor to the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gesellschaft (established in 1911) and is committed to basic research.

The MPIK has been founded in 1958 under the leadership of Wolfgang Gentner. Its precursor was the Institute for Physics at the MPI for Medical Research led by Walther Bothe from 1934 to 1957. The initial scientific goals were basic research in nuclear physics and the application of nuclear-physics methods to questions concerning in the physics and chemistry of the cosmos. Since 1966 the MPIK is led by a board of directors. Today, the activities concentrate on the two interdisciplinary research fields

Presently, the institute consists of six divisions and additionally several independent research groups mostly led by young physicists, which are predominantly funded by third parties. Every day, about 460 persons are working at the Institute, including 130 scientists and 110 PhD students.

Scientists at the MPIK collaborate with other research groups from all over the world. They are involved in a large number of international collaborations, partly in a leading role. Particularly close connections exist to some large-scale facilities like GSI with EMMI (Darmstadt), DESY (Hamburg), BESSY (Berlin), CERN (Genf), INFN-LNGS (Assergi L‘Aquila), LCLS (Stanford).

In the local region, the Institute cooperates closely with the University of Heidelberg, where the directors and further members of the Institute are teaching. Three International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) and a graduate school serve to foster young scientists.

The Institute’s support departments contribute considerably to the successful scientific work: precision mechanics and electronics shops both with affiliated apprentices’ training shops, engineering design office, IT network, radiation protection, safety and environment, library, public relations and media, as well as administration and building services.